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{\pard\sa900\fs50\f0\i Media Release\par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Basel, 17 July 2006\line \line {\b Mircera 
(C.E.R.A.) first 
drug to directly convert dialysis patients to once-monthly dosing schedule} \line \line First 
public presentation of Phase III data from largest ever renal anaemia clinical development program\line \line For 
the first time, clinical studies show that dialysis patients treated with short-acting and frequently 
administered epoetin anti-anaemia drugs can be directly switched to a once-monthly treatment resulting 
in stable haemoglobin (Hb) levels.{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 1,2\par}}  
This new drug in development is Mircera Roche\u8217?s continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (C.E.R.A.) 
and the once-monthly dosing approach \u8211? never before studied in this way \u8211? is a milestone in anaemia 
management.\line Dialysis patients can receive existing anti-anaemia treatments as frequently 
as several times a week, depending on the drug and patient status.{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 3\par}}  
Roche\u8217?s once-monthly C.E.R.A. could 
have a positive impact on the management of anaemia in dialysis patients by reducing work loads and 
offering greater efficiencies.{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 1,2\par}} \line \line The 
results of three Phase III \u8216?maintenance\u8217? studies \u8211? part of the largest clinical development program 
ever undertaken for a drug treating renal anaemia \u8211? were presented at the annual meeting of the European 
Renal Association - European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) in Glasgow, Scotland. These 
included two studies using epoetin alfa/beta as a comparator and one study using darbepoetin alfa.{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 1,2,4\par}} \line \line \u8220?This 
was the first Phase III registration study that examined a once-monthly dosing interval. We were gratified 
to see that C.E.R.A. maintained stable haemoglobin levels during the evaluation and extended phases 
in these dialysis patients,\u8221? said Dr. Nathan Levin, Medical and Research Director of the Renal Research 
Institute, New York and one of the lead investigators who presented the results of the first study. 
\u8220?Haemoglobin plays an important role in improving physical function and reducing the likelihood of heart 
disease, but maintaining stable haemoglobin levels can be a clinical challenge. These results with this 
C.E.R.A. indicate the therapy may be a major step forward in the practical treatment of anaemia\u8221?.\line \line Roche 
filed applications with the regulatory authorities in the United States and the European Union in April 
for the treatment of anaemia associated with chronic kidney disease including patients on dialysis and 
not, based in part on this data. Results from the remaining Phase III correction studies will be announced 
later this year.\line \line {\b About the Phase III Maintenance Studies 
} \line The primary objective of the studies was to demonstrate that intravenous (IV) 
or subcutaneous (SC) C.E.R.A. can maintain Hb concentrations in dialysis patients on prior epoetin alfa/beta 
or darbepoetin alfa therapy.{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 1,2,4\par}}  The 
aim of these studies is to demonstrate efficacy by proving that 
this C.E.R.A. is at least as effective as an existing therapy based on their approved administration 
schedules.{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 1,2,4\par}}  This is important as these 
studies involved directly converting or switching patients 
from very frequent therapy to a once-monthly regimen.{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 1,2,4\par}} \line \line In 
these maintenance 
studies, which aim to keep Hb levels in a defined range over time in dialysis patients whose Hb levels 
have been corrected, patients were randomized to continue their frequent treatment or convert directly 
to C.E.R.A. given once every two weeks or once-monthly.{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 1,2,4\par}}  
The primary endpoint was the mean change 
in Hb between baseline and the evaluation period. In these trials, dosage was adjusted to maintain Hb 
+/-1.0 g/dL of the baseline level.{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 1,2,4\par}}  
\par}{\pard\f0\li440\ri0\sl360\fs22 - The first study was designed to evaluate{\b  
IV 
C.E.R.A}  dosed once every two weeks or once-monthly in the maintenance of Hb levels in dialysis 
patients 
previously maintained on IV epoetin alfa/beta dosed up to three times weekly.{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 1\par}}  
Close to 90 percent of 
patients were receiving a three-time weekly dose of epoetins at the time they were converted.{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 1\par}}  
The difference 
between once-monthly IV C.E.R.A. and epoetin at short dosing intervals in the mean change in Hb was 
negligible (0.05g/dL), which shows a steady maintenance of Hb. According to the study protocol, these 
results demonstrate that IV C.E.R.A. once monthly is as effective as IV epoetin in maintaining Hb levels. 
(p<0.0001).{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 1\line \par}} \par}{\pard\f0\li440\ri0\sl360\fs22 - The 
second study mirrored the first and evaluated 
{\b SC C.E.R.A}  at the same dosing intervals and patient population previously maintained 
on SC epoetin alfa/beta.{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 2\par}}  
The difference between once-monthly SC C.E.R.A. and epoetin in the mean change in Hb was negligible 
(-0.02g/dL) demonstrating a steady maintenance of Hb. According to the study protocol, these results 
demonstrate that SC C.E.R.A. once monthly is as effective as SC epoetin in maintaining Hb levels. (p<0.0001).{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 2\par}}  
\u160?\line \par}{\pard\f0\li440\ri0\sl360\fs22 - The third study evaluated IV C.E.R.A dosed 
once every two weeks 
in the maintenance of Hb levels in dialysis patients previously maintained on IV darbepoetin alfa.{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 3\par}}  
Darbepoetin alfa was dosed once a week or once every two weeks.{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 3\par}}  
The difference between IV C.E.R.A. 
and darbepoetin in the mean change in Hb was negligible (0.18g/dL) demonstrating a steady maintenance 
of Hb. According to the study protocol, these results demonstrate that IV C.E.R.A. twice monthly is 
as effective as IV darbepoetin alfa in maintaining Hb levels. (p<0.0001).{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 3\line \par}} \par}{\pard\f0\li440\ri0\sl360\fs22 - The 
data from these three multi-centre, Phase III maintenance studies showed that both IV and SC administration 
of this C.E.R.A. twice a month or once monthly maintained haemoglobin levels in a seamless fashion in 
dialysis patients.{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 1,2,4\par}}  C.E.R.A. was well-tolerated, 
with a safety profile characteristic of the patient 
population.{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 1,2,4\par}}  \line \par}\line {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 {\b About 
C.E.R.A.} \line Roche\u8217?s 
innovative investigational anti-anaemia agent is the first continuous erythropoietin receptor activator 
(C.E.R.A.), which is a new class of drugs. Its activity at the receptor sites involved in stimulating 
red blood cell production is different from that observed with traditional epoetin drugs. The distinct 
molecular interaction of this C.E.R.A. is believed to play an important role in providing targeted, 
stable and sustained control of anaemia.\line  \line {\b About 
Roche} \line Headquartered 
in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world\u8217?s leading research-focused healthcare groups in the 
fields of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. As a supplier of innovative products and services for the 
early detection, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, the Group contributes on a broad range 
of fronts to improving people\u8217?s health and quality of life. Roche is a world leader in diagnostics, 
the leading supplier of medicines for cancer and transplantation and a market leader in virology. In 
2005 sales by the Pharmaceuticals Division totalled 27.3 billion Swiss francs, and the Diagnostics Division 
posted sales of 8.2 billion Swiss francs. Roche employs roughly 70,000 people in 150 countries and has 
R&D agreements and strategic alliances with numerous partners, including majority ownership interests 
in Genentech and Chugai. Additional information about the Roche Group is available on the Internet (www.roche.com (http://www.roche.com)).\line \line {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 All 
trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.\line \par}\line \line {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 References:\line 1. 
N. Levin, S. Fishbane, S. Zieg, G. Nassar, J. Moran, G. Villa, F. Dougherty. Poster Submitted to EDTA. 
Intravenous (IV) C.E.R.A. (Continuous Erythropoietin Receptor Activaor) Administered Once Every 2 Weeks 
Or Once Monthly Maintains Haemoglobin (Hb) Levels in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease, 2006, Glasgow, 
Scotland.\line 2. W. Sulowicz, F. Locatelli, J. Balla, B. Csiky, C. Rikker, J. Aldigier, F. 
Dougherty. Poster Submitted to EDTA. Subcutaneous (SC) C.E.R.A. (Continuous ErythropoietinReceptor Activator) 
Administered Once Every 2 Weeks or Once Monthly Maintains Haemoglobin (Hb) Levels in Patients with Chronic 
Kidney Disease (CKD) on Dialysis, 2006, Glasgow, Scotland. \line 3. National Kidney Foundation: 
K/DOQI Clinical Practice Guidelines: 2000 Update. \line 4. B. Canaud, J. Braun, F. Locatelli, 
G. Villa, B. Vlem, D. Guajardo, F. Dougherty. Intravenous (IV) C.E.R.A. (Continuous Erythropoietin Receptor 
Activator) administered once every 2 weeks maintains stable haemoglobin (Hb) levels in patients with 
chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis, 2006, Glasgow, Scotland.\par}\line \par}
{\pard \par}
{\pard\sb180\f1\fs22 {\b F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd}\line 4070 Basel\line Switzerland \par}
{\pard\sb180\f1\fs22 Corporate Communications\line Roche Group Media Relations \par}
{\pard\sb180\f1\fs22 Tel. +41 61 688 88 88\line Fax +41 61 688 27 75\line www.roche.com \par}
}